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Proteas bowler Viljoen signs for Derbyshire

Cape Town - Proteas bowler Hardus Viljoen has signed a three-year contract with English county Derbyshire.

Viljoen, 27, will be available for all formats of the game for Derbyshire, subject to a successful registration under the Kolpak ruling.

Viljoen had a promising start this year where he made his Test debut for the Proteas against England at the Wanderers in January.

The fast bowler took the wicket of skipper Alastair Cook with his first ball in Test cricket in England's first innings of the third Test.

Viljoen only took that one scalp, as the Proteas lost the match - and series - against England at home.

The Highveld Lions paceman has played in 119 limited overs matches, claiming 158 wickets at an average of 27.

This isn't Viljoen's first county experience, as he had a successful stint with Kent where he appeared in four games and took 20 wickets.

This three-year deal rules the bowler out of selection for the Proteas for the upcoming seasons, as he has committed to the club until the end of 2019.

"We’re delighted to secure Hardus to lead our line for the 2017 campaign," said Director of Derbyshire cricket, Kim Barnett, on the club's official website.

"It was clear last summer that we lacked a consistent threat with the ball, and we feel Hardus fits that bill. He’s a strike bowler who can bowl over 90 miles-an-hour and has experience both internationally and here in England."

Viljoen joins another Proteas in the Derbyshire dressing room after spinner Imran Tahir signed for the bulk of the 2017 county season.

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